Viewing rjuddharrison's Garden Diary: E X O T I C Plant Diary

Friday, April 22, 2011

Arundo donax - Giant reed grass

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Monday, August 31, 2009

Cubanola domingensis

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Monday, August 31, 2009

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Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Hydrangea Care

In many varieties, flowers vary from pink to blue, depending on soil pH and the hydrangea's ability to absorb aluminum in the soil. An acid soil enables a hydrangea to absorb more aluminum and produce blue blooms. In an alkaline or nearly neutral soil, the plant is unable to take up the aluminum, and the flowers are pink.

To promote a more acidic soil and blue blooms, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of sulfur or aluminum sulfate around the hydrangea in early fall. For pink blooms, sprinkle a cup of dolomitic lime around the shrub to boost alkalinity. Water well after any application
Hydrangea care

Location: The ideal spot for a hydrangea is in morning sun and some afternoon shade. Filtered sun also will work. Flower count declines over the years in deep shade, and eventually your plant may not bloom. Oakleaf hydrangeas may be more sun-tolerant.

No blooms? Hydrangeas may flower poorly or not at all in complete shade. Improper pruning also results in no blooms. Avoid late-winter pruning when traditional mopheads and oakleafs are setting buds on old wood. Prune after the shrubs
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Philo Monstera names
The plain green one is Monstera deliciosa 'Borsigiana'.

The variegated one is Monstera deliciosa 'Marmorata'.
The plain green one is Monstera deliciosa 'Borsigiana'.

The variegated one is Monstera deliciosa 'Marmorata'.

TROPICAL FEATURE PLANT NAMES
Cubanola domingensis

Friday, April 3, 2009

Tinantia pringlei

Tinantia pringlei
from Mike- plant from Mexico

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Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Strelitzia caudata

bloom emerging from lower left hand corner of photo where the frond was removed. I noticed the area separating in between the trunk and the old leaf.

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Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Strelitzia caudata possible bloom

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Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Strelitzia caudata White Bird of Paradise

Been waiting for 6 or 7 years to see a bloom on this giant white bird of paradise, and also noticed that it looked a lot different than the ones I've seen around here.
Now it appears there may be a bloom, so posted on a few forums..it might just be that I also found out why it looks different. Dave in ITO thinks it may be this form of bop Strelitzia caudata in A. Graf "Tropica

I guess these are more difficult to come by from what the internet says, but...
I bought it at home depot I 8-9 years ago...

Friday, February 29, 2008

Betel Nut Palm

Gracie from Guam brought me some seeds from this tree. I've just looked it up and it is a beautiful palm, looks like it is very temperature sensitive. I have 3 seeds...will plant one in ground, then put it in pot for winter. We'll see. May ask Mike.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Pokeweed

finally discovered accidentally what the heck appeared in the garden 3 years ago. l knew it was a weed of some sort, but very showy when the berries got ripe. I keep it around because the birds LOVE the berries.http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/175432/

Friday, October 5, 2007

Clerodendrum Bungei

Also known as climbing hydrangea. If you have a wild area, let it go crazy, but be careful, this plant should be known as the walking hydrangea as it will show up quite a distance aways from the parent plant.

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Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Varigated Banana

Now this is the ultimate varigation

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Monday, July 16, 2007

Poinciana regia, Delonix regia

I recognized the leaves on this plant as I was cruising through the PF looking at Poinciana trees. I have a couple of these growing that I planted from seeds from Costa Rica. I actually had quite a few different seeds (golden rain tree, Torch Ginger, pillow tree, flame tree, Tree fern, Flame tree. and decided to plant all of them after having them for several years. Some stuff actually sprouted, but they certainly sprout at their own pace, hence the small pot was recycled,and they end up growing out the garden beds where I dump the potting soil There are a couple of other trees and unidentified flora growing in several of the beds.

will have to take photos of the young plants

SEPTEMBER 24
Wow, one I planted in the back yard had an exceedingly fast growth season! It went from inches to over 6 feet.

Saturday, July 14, 2007

tree by pond...Sesbania punicea

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1256/
Rattlebox, Scarlet Wisteria, False Poinciana, Purple Sesbane
Sesbania punicea
Sold by Buchanons as Mimosa tree- definately see how these can be mixed up, and frankly I'm glad- I like this tree.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Varigated Philodendrum

I need to read up on philodendrums. I planted this on the edge of the deck under the span of the now giant fern tree.

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Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Unknown Jerrys purchase / syngonium?

Jerry's wife died shortly before the plant sale and most of them were unmarked. I really like variegated plants.

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Friday, May 4, 2007

varigated rubber tree

I have planted 3 different types of rubber trees next to each other.

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Friday, May 4, 2007

Vietnemese Rubber

From Jerrys Jungle- I saw the mother tree he has in a green house, the biggest rubber tree I've ever seen.

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Friday, May 4, 2007

Jerrys Jungle (rubber tree)

In fact, I forgot...I did snap a photo of Jerrys tree.

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Friday, May 4, 2007

Leonotis leonurus "Lions Ear"

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Friday, March 23, 2007

Arrowhead' (Syngonium podophyllum)

Jerry's Jungle

planting on the east ladder along with philodendrum.

JUNE 2007

The ladder seems to be a good area for this plant. It is really climbing all over. I left the plant in the pot however. Seems that on certain types of vines, this method yeilds best results as the main root ball remains well drained.

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Friday, March 23, 2007

Cryptostegia Grandiflora

Vine aquired at Jerrys Jungle...can't find my photos, and until it starts blooming
will use photo "curteousy of Tops Tropicals".
This vine is particularly special to me as these were all over the beach and lagoon areas of Monrovia Liberia, where the Youth Camp was near ELWA.

Planted on the west end of the deck, it appears to have survived the winter and is busily growing like there was no winter.
On this end the citronea vine, Beaumontia Murtonni, Queens wreath, and the Cryptostegia Grandiflora are growing. The Cryptostegia Grandiflora and citronea are sharing a bamboo trellis that is filling the gap of the deck formerly destroy by miss Rita and the neighbors 100 year pecan tree that fell.
Quees Wreath and Beaumontia to share the ladder. I suspect the Cryptostegia Grandiflora will also find the ladder as it is quite an explorer. In Africa, they kept pretty much to the ground. This one also is crawling along the ground, but has been trained up the trellis and is also headed towards the ladder

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Friday, March 16, 2007

Big Fern

Australian Fern

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Monday, November 27, 2006

Strophanthus preussii - Poison Arrow Vine

Aquired Strophanthus preussii - Poison Arrow Vine from Wayne today- I was helping him install a new (large) cold frame green house. This was one of my many plants that he generously rewards me with. (will work for plants)!

Wayne and partner are owners of
Zone9Tropicals.com
so far, great quality for his plants. He is meticulous, and will not sell plants if he is even in doubt of the name, such as "double quisquollis (rangoon creeper)- even though it is labled as such, he wants to see it bloom first. Naturally I offered my services in this area- and will hopefully have a double next year growing by the house with the other creeper.
Photo is curteousy of Zone9Tropicals.com

March 9th-
Vine taken from the green house and planted on the east bamboo ladder. Signs of life are remarkably in the forms of little leaf buds. According to what I've read, the location should be ideal receiving lots of dappled sun with some full shots of periodic afternoon sun.

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Friday, November 10, 2006

The Mama Paw Paw

Growing up in Liberia, Papaya was call Paw Paw- thus the title.
This is the biggest tree so far. It is one year old in this location August 2006. The actual tree was over wintered in the green house and kept stunted as described in my journal "Papaya 101 my experiences" journal. Last winter was very warm- and if this winter is warm, should get even bigger. I have seen a couple in the Houston area that are 18 feet plus tall. One in my neighborhood was as high as the second story of the house.

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Friday, November 10, 2006

Clerodendrum wallichii

Wallichii is blooming late fall/early winter. Second year- upgraded twice this summer in pot size. Seems to do well in pots- perhaps liking to be root bound?

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Sunday, September 3, 2006

group of some of my favorite tropicals

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Sunday, September 3, 2006

orchid, bromeliad and panticulum

Orchid, bromeliad, clerodenrum varigated, and clerodendrum panticulum

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Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Holmskoldia tettensis, Holmskioldia taitensis, Karomia speciosa

Bob and Wayne from zone9tropicals invited us over on saturday- had a great visit, and they loaded me up with some freebees. One of them is a tree/shrub called chinese hat. The flower sort of reminds me of a couple of the clerodendrums.

Saturday, August 12, 2006

Ginger

Will have to check the tag on this ginger- which will require some skill as it is in a difficult to reach spot amongst the undergrowth.
it resembles the butterfly ginger, but smaller and orangish pink blooms. Could not detect odor the first day- but a faint fragrance the next day.

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Saturday, August 12, 2006

Same ginger full bloom

Sun was shining right on it .

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Saturday, August 12, 2006

Bromeliad

I bought the original plant at a sale our office building does monthly- selling off the previous months plants ..for get this...3 bucks each... I was hauling boxes of bromeliads out. Sadly, there are no names and I have not really searched for it yet. this is second generation, it also has 2 pups growing on it. I might add- that it bloomed not to long after spraying messenger on it! I have 2 of these guys- with 2 pups ea.

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Saturday, August 12, 2006

First Bloom Hibiscus

first bloom from hibiscus cutting brought back from Kauai

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Saturday, August 12, 2006

August 14th

Bromeliad is turning more orange.

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Friday, July 21, 2006

Iresine herbstii

red plant by the pond

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Strongylodon macrobotrys - Jade Vine

I have two 35 foot bamboo ladders from Thailand - I plan to install them in the ground and have them tower over the end of the deck. One ladder will have Strongylodon macrobotrys - Jade Vine , and the other ladder will have Beaumontia Murtonii- a cousin of the Grandiflora, except that it blooms often.

Tuesday, July 4, 2006

same family as firemans cap

Tuesday, July 4, 2006

Erythrina x bidwillii

this is a tropical version of the more locally found "Firemans Cap" Tree

This link to plant files - after visiting Wayne a couple of times and having my car loaded up with plants, I noticed when I finally started paying attention that there were several Erythrina types
The one I got from Vals place...by taking seed pod off tree is
Erythrina crista-galli http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/38374/
The tree looks like crap during the summer...I noticed palmbob also showed photos with the leaves looking terrible with a caption saying "tree during the summer"

and
Erythrina indica
Pictures of Indian Coral Tree, Mandara (Erythrina indica)http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/54478/
unremarkable looking pictures in PF, will google see if I should even bother with this one. --googled, totally different looking, so will hold for now

Tuesday, July 4, 2006

Fox tail palm

Fox tail palm I bought at Buchanons- on sale.
The beginning of July seems to be similar as last july- Rain, and cloud cover. Once again it is similar to Tropical central America- not quite the rainy season as there, but seems to be gradually shifting with noticeable similarities, including a rather dry fall, which is the begining of dry season.

Plant relocated JULY 15th to the end of the deck, where it will be center of two 35 foot thailand bamboo ladders.

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Tuesday, July 4, 2006

Star of India

Star of India (also known as star of Jamacia)
Cuttings doing well from my friends plant in Kauai.

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Sunday, July 2, 2006

Plumerias

Plumerias are doing really well this year. As a matter of fact, I have never seen so much pink, and pink streaks in this one. Wonder if the lava sand factors in.

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Saturday, July 1, 2006

Fieus Altissima Var

Vietnemese Rubber tree.

My purchases at Jerrys Jungle. It was surprising to see the similarities in our jungles, and our art. I would love to spend some more time there, talking to Mr. Jerry.
Jerrys jungle..jun 30

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

varigated rubber tree

Wonderful looking Rubber tree. The leaves will develop a pink hue if the tree is positioned in some full sun exposure.

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Monday, June 12, 2006

Australian Fern tree pup

Aussie fern tree pup - one of two purchased in Hawaii. Advice...buying seeds from online nursery extremely supsect. There is a tree fern, which is a tree- The online store will picture an australian tree fern, you will receive fern tree seeds. The pups I bought were tight little fern fuzz balls..for a lack of a better description. I bought these in FEB, they just started visible activity in May.

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Monday, June 12, 2006

Second Australian fern tree pup

Here is number two- in a bit more shaded area.

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Monday, June 12, 2006

coconut tree

Yes..I actually mailed myself back a coconut tree sprout from Hawaii in FEB. Part of the eternal hope of gardening, as it's success during the winter here is not in it's favor. I doubt I can put in a container - and put it in the green house. I haver never seen a coconut tree in a container. This guy really seemed to start growing as there was more shade..hmmm..mabe too hot here ? The instructions said to leave the top of the coconut protruding...so you can still see the coconut in the picture.

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Monday, June 12, 2006

Amaranthus Molten Fire

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Monday, June 12, 2006

Jarcaranda mimisofolia

This tree has beautiful foliage - let alone the dazzling purple blooms..Look forward to when it blooms.

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Monday, June 12, 2006

Giant Hibiscus

This Hibiscus I first saw at Jonathans..I asked him for a cutting, for which I now have these giant blooms. I would like to have a mass planting of these as it would be a spectacular show.

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Monday, June 12, 2006

another hibiscus pict

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Monday, June 12, 2006

when coconut was first planted

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Friday, June 2, 2006

Cyathea cooperi - Australian Tree Fern

I rescued this guy from Home Depot last spring...it was a pathetic scragle. This year it is throwing up 2 fronds at a time which I have not seen before..must be happy

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Monday, May 29, 2006

Princess flower Tibouchina candolleana

I must obtain the latin name for this. Need to make a trip to the plantfiles. I have finally found a place that it likes. Also found out that is prefers to be on the dry side. Plenty of sun- blooming nicely.

Monday, May 29, 2006

Vitex and firemans cap

Vitex trees are quite a showy tree. They have been dubbed the lilac of the south. Hybridizing is paying off with the full blooms
Firemans cap is growing like a weed. Planted from seeds I snatched from Valeries farm.
There is one whole branch line up with buds..that should be a show.

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Thursday, May 18, 2006

Thungbergia Battescombei

Related to sky vine, but much prettier. I have not even planted it and it is blooming. Since the morning glories are going out of season- I may locate it to the glory ladders. The Chalice vine currently occupy it is doing great..can/t wait to see if it blooms.

Preliminiary indications is that it may be a prolific bloomer...The color is similar to the butterfly pea vine..that color is hard one to top.

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Thursday, May 18, 2006

Thungbergia Battescombei

This is a side view. It has a lovely little trumpet shape to it.
I aquired this at Karutz nursery. They get the prize in quality of plants - especially after shipping. They always are in perfect shape.

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Thursday, April 27, 2006

Firemans cap tree

Erythrina crista-galli
Picked seed pods from Vals farm 3 years ago...planted these guys...this is first bloom- have 3 others - but not in ground. This guy is about 5 feet tall now..has thorns

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Thursday, April 27, 2006

Firemans cap bud

The name is coming from the bud looking like a firemans cap at some point. I think there is also a reference to this tree as hurricane tree.

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Mundulea sericea - seeds

Corkbush.
Very free flowering & distinctly garden worthy, this rare-in-the-trade, South African native makes an excellent shrub or small tree, 6’-10’ tall. Outstanding sprays of purple/lilac, pea-like flowers cover the shrub from early Spring thru Summer, attracting butterflies. Great plant for bonsai! Mundulea sericea is easily cultivated from seed. Soak the seeds overnight in hot water and plant them the next day in a mixture of riversand (vercumilite and or perlite will also do) and compost (60:40 ratio). Germination takes place from about 1 week and continues until about 3 months later

PLANTED: June 26th

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Monday, March 20, 2006

Beaumontia grandiflora

I was right- it completed opening during the night.

APR 3 There are 5 blooms going now, they seem to be opening and dying a bit .
faster. Might give them some fertilizer

I found this email at tops tropicals- I have sent them an email, because I am wondering if I really have the Murtonii-

Quote:
Also I noticed that you had a photo of Beaumontia grandiflora and then captioned underneath it, B. murtonii, the impression I got was that these two species are one and the same thing, from YOUR website! But my dear they are very different creatures, because B. murtonii is endemic to the low lands of Thailand and is a repeat bloomer with very flat held wide-opened flowers that do not come in a tubular(trumpet)shape, and the B. grandiflora is from northern India- it does not blooom in heat,it likes to bloom where it gets chilly and it blooms but once in the year, straight after the onset of cold! Its flowers are long and tubular and it therefore cannot be B. murtonii. If you need to see them side by side,you should visit Dolores'home as she has them both! Cheers, MD Ferrero.

Michael D Ferrero
Thailand

Regarding beaumontia: We DO know that there are different species, and if you look closer, you'll see them both listed in our catalog as separate species... We have listed the beaumontias in our online store as grandiflora/murtonii just because we receive then from Thailand without proper labeling, and we are not sure which of these 2 species we receive, and they have similar leaves. At least we know it is a beaumontia genus. :-)
Thanks for your note though and it's an honor to be visited by Chief Scientist of the Thailand Nong Nooch Garden!
See you soon in Thailand, in March.

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Monday, March 20, 2006

Full view of Beaumontia G.M.

This is the full view of the plant. I feel rather lucky that I selected a spot where it is starting to thrive. It is in or right next to the dry area of the flower bed. This allows me to control the watering as it seems to prefer not to be so watered constantly..Or rather the term "well drained". The leaves are growing big and bright green, there are new shoots coming out. The location does allow it to receive rain fall, but it is near the eve of the house.

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Sunday, March 19, 2006

Flower

Flower opened today- Looks pretty cool. didn't have an scent.

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Sunday, March 19, 2006

Beaumontia grandiflora (murtonii

another picture. I'd say it is about 3 or 4 inches tall. The plant looks like it's shedding all of it's old growth, and has new bright green large leaf growth.

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Sunday, March 19, 2006

Beaumontia grandiflora (murtonii

I have no idea how long the blooms last, but if it's like most vines - 1 day. It appears to me that it still had some unfurling to do.

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Friday, March 17, 2006

Marsdenia Floribunda "Stephanotis Vine"

I brought a small plant from Oahu, plant to put it in front. Jill had a nice big plant. It seems that it can be shrub like as well as vine

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Thursday, March 16, 2006

Zingiber malaysianum 'Midnight'

I aquired this little beauty at Buchanons...I have never heard nor seen such a ginger before.. it is gorgeous!..I love it.. It is suppose to have basil cones of yellow flowers turning to pink.
It is supposedly only recently discovered in Malaysia

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Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Beaumontia grandiflora (murtonii)

Happy day...The Beaumontia grandiflora is blooming! From what I've discussed here on DG, this is a very difficult plant to produce blooms here in the U.S. - I think I know why. After some research, I've discovered that there are 2 types of Beaumontia grandiflora (probably more) but the 2 types while looking fairly identical, are very different for blooming requirements. The Beaumontia grandiflora, hales from India, at higher elevations, blooming only once a year, and requires cool temperatures to start the bloom. I'm not sure what cool temps are- but the other Beaumontia grandiflora (murtonii) used in Thailand, blooms constantly and loves full sun hot weather, so we can assume Thailand being quite hot and alot of coastal gardens having the Beaumontia grandiflora (murtonii), that "cool" means are around 50 - 60 degrees, I believe San Fransisco grows the Beaumontia grandiflora quite well. I'll write more as I research. So....if one wants a repeating blooming Beaumontia grandiflora (murtonii) you must ask for the murtonii- The problem is I think that our nuseries here do not differentiate between the two- thus the blooming difficulties some of the gardeners are experiencing. This information I found at Tops Tropicals forum, actually from a Thailand Botanist.
Picture of the Beaumontia grandiflora (murtonii) aka Easter Lily Vine, Heralds trumpet. It is not fully open, but assuredly I will capture the opening on film and post.

Mar 18th- The big bud continues to open, I think today will be the day. The smaller bud fell off- after the soaking rain we had. I'm glad I put him in the dry zone of the garden, because indications are it doesn't like to be too wet at any time. The leaves are looking healthy, and other buds continue to push their way out. I'm tickled there's one bud..I'll take a picture and then pin it up in front of the plant...saying..see..do this....haaaaa

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Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Tropical Seeds Catalogue

Seeds arrived in March- To be started in March **planted directly in soil March 15th**

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Ruttya fruticosa Orange

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Solanum pyracanthum

FAILED - too many seeds planted, very high propagation amongst zinnia and amaranthus that choked everything else out - these may appear at a later date

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Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Tecomaria aurea

Tecomaria aurea

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Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera)

Coconut sprout brought back from Hawaii,

APRIL 3rd - Coconut continues to live - I would count progress as adaquete. The sprout has survived several 40 degree nights. I did put a rope light around it to help things out- but it survived 1 night without it. looks like it is putting out another little spike frond.

Coconut planted per instruction leaving 1/3 of coconut exposed.
Sprout is adjusting to location- The sprout has moved towards sun exposure.
Watering daily- when above 80F

UPDATE: May 19th
Coconut is doing great. It seem to struggle there for a while however when the other plants surrounding it started growing tall and providing some shade - it seem to perk up. Mabe sun is a bit too intense here. I wonder if it would live in a pot. I am going to have to think of something to do with it in the winter.

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Tuesday, March 14, 2006

June - Coconut update

Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera)
June 3rd
Coconut tree is doing remarkably well. Seems like it prefered a bit more shade in this hot climate.